Obituary of William Lee Peppin

William L. “Bill” Peppin, age 79, of Iowa City, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 30, 2026.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date—because Bill never rushed into anything unless there was a good reason. Memorials in his name may be directed to Tunnels to Towers, a cause close to his heart.

Born on December 29, 1946, in Kankakee, Illinois, Bill was the son of Robert and June (Voight) Peppin. He graduated from Bradley-Bourbonnais High School in 1964 and went on to build a life defined by independence, determination, and a knack for turning hobbies into full-blown passions.

On June 3, 1972, Bill married the love of his life, Sabina Cuthbertson, at The United Protestant Church in Park Forest, Illinois. Their marriage spanned more than five decades and included countless stories—many of which Bill told more than once, always with confidence and a straight face.

Bill spent many years working in outside sales, but in 1996 he fulfilled a lifelong dream: owning a bar. He and Sabina purchased and operated Maxie’s in Iowa City, a place that reflected Bill perfectly—welcoming, social, and never boring.

A man of many interests, Bill loved playing Blackjack at Lady Luck in the Quad Cities, Riverside Casino, and during several memorable trips to Las Vegas. He enjoyed the game so much that he even wrote a book about how to play Blackjack—because if Bill figured something out, he believed it should be documented. He also loved bowling and was a loyal fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings, sticking with his teams through both triumph and heartbreak.

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, Bill became an ordained minister so he could officiate the wedding of his son and daughter-in-law—because of course Bill would find a way to do it himself.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Sabina; his children, Natalie Burgert of Dunnellon, Florida, Brian (Coleen) Peppin of Saint John, Indiana, and Michael (Tamra) Peppin of Carpentersville, Illinois; and his grandchildren, Brianna Burgert, Alyssa Burgert (Darian Ernst), and Alexander Peppin, all of whom brought him great pride.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gary Peppin.

Bill will be remembered for his confidence, his storytelling, his love of a good wager, and his unwavering devotion to his family. He lived life on his own terms—and wouldn’t have had it any other way.